Nursing bottle and nipple therefor



L. A. M GEARY NURSING BOTTLE AND NIPPLE THEREFOR July 7, 1925.

Filed May 26 m n M Patented July 7, 1925. p I p MUNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

LACIE A. MOGEARY, OF PARKERSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA.

NURSING BOTTLE AND NIPPLE THEREFOR.

Application filed May 26, 1924. Serial No. 715,946.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LACIE A. MGGEARY, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and resident of Parkersburg, county of lVood, State of WestVirginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in andRelating to Nursing Bottles and Nipples Therefor, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in nursing bottles andnipples therefor; and the nature and ob1ects of the invention will bereadilyv recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts involvedin the light of the following explanation and detailed description ofthe accompanying drawings illustrating what I at present consider to bethe preferred embodiments or mechanical expressions of the inventionfrom among various other forms, arrangement-s, combinations, andconstructions of which the invention is capable with in the spirit andscope thereof.

, One of the main and fundamental objects of the present invention isthe provision of a nursing bottle of a form and construction which canbe readily thoroughly cleaned and sterilized, and can be maintained inthe desired highly sanitary condition essential in the use of nursingbottles in order to safeguard health and prevent contamination of foodtherein.

Another object of the invention is to overcome and eliminate theobjectionable leakage from a nursing bottle around and between thebottle and a nipple mounted and attached thereon, by the formation ofthe bottle and the nipple in such a manner that an effective seal isformed and maintained between the bottle and the nipple.

A further object of the invention is to so form and construct a nursingbottle and nipple therefor, that with the nipple 1n mounted attachedposition on the bottle portions of the nipple form gaskets or washersbetween the nipple and the bottle and provide a multiple seal toeffectively prevent leakage from the bottle and entry of the contents ofthe bottle between the contacting surfaces of the bottle and the nipple.

Another object of the invention is to provide a nipple for nursingbottles which is formed to overcome the tendency of such nipples tocollapse in use due to the creation of a partial vacuum therewithin, andwhich is further designed to present a more natural shape and provide aflow'of food there-from in such quantities and at such a rate as to moreefficiently feed an infant using the same under the varying conditionsto which such nipples are subjected.

Another object of the invention is to vide a nursing design andconstruction which can be readproily manufactured in quantities byprevailing methods at a relatively low cost.

bottle of simple inexpensive With the foregoing main objects and certainother objects and results in vew, which other objects and results willbe readily recognized by those skilled in the art, the inventionconsists in certain novel features in construction and in combinationand arrangement of elements, as will be more fully and particularyreferred to and pointed out hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1, is a side elevation of a nursin bottle and nipple embodyingfeatures of the invention, with the nipple in attached operativeposition on the bottle.

Fig. 2, is a top plan view of the bottle and nipple of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, is a vertical longitudinal section through thebottle and nippleof Fig. 1.

Fig. 4, is a detail section through the nipple taken on the line 44 ofFig. 3. I

Fig. 5', is a detail fragmentary vie-w of a modified construction andformation of the exterior nipple receiving flange of the bottle.

One possible embodimentor mechanical expression of which the inventionis capable is illustrated herewith purely by way of example and not oflimitation, to permit of explaining and describing the principles andvarious features of the invention. In the illustrated example thenursing bottle is formed of a suitable metal so as to be non-breakableand non-corrodible while retaining the desirable characteristic of lightweight. However, attention is here directed to the fact that it is notintended to limit the nuring bottle embodying the features of theinvention to metal, as other materials, such for example as glass, canbe utilized, as will be referred toand explained hereinafter.

The form of the invention disclosed in the accompanying drawingsembodies the nur sing bottle 10 and the nipple 20 therefor. The bottle10 in this instance is formed and constructed of relatively thin sheetaluminum or some similar or equivalent metal bottle engaged thereby.

having light weight and being non-corrodible. In accordance with theinvention the body of the bottle 10 is formed of substantially the sameinternal diameter throughout and is open at one end and closed at theother. The open end of the bottle 10 is preferably of the same diameteras the internal diameter of the bottle to thus present a large unbrokenmouth or discharge end, while in the specific example illustrated theclosed end of the bottle is formed by an end wall or bottom 11 welded,sweated or otherwise securely, rigidly fixed to the bottle to form ineffect an integral part thereof. This bottom 11 is formed with anexterior shoulder 11* therearound and a reduced inner end portionforming a flange 11, so that in ,mounted attached position thereof thebottom edge of the bottle bears against the shoulder 11 with the flange11 tightly fitting into and against the inner surface of the body of thebottle 10. The illustrated construction of the end wall or bottom 11 ofthe bottle 10 above described can be changed to an integral bottom orend wall if desired without departing beyond the bounds of theinvention, so that it is not intended to limit all features of theinvention to this construction and arrangement of the bottom for thebottle 10.

The bottle 10 is so formed and constructed of aluminum presents a lightweight nonbreakable and non-corrodible structure which is readilygrasped in use and which can be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized due tothe large open end or mouth and the unbroken relatively smooth interiorresulting from the same internal diameter throughout its length. In thismanner a nursing bottle is provided in which the possibility ofcontamination of food therein due to improper cleaning or sterilizing ismaterially reduced.

,As well understood by those familiar with nursing bottles of' the broadgeneral type referred to, a nipple is fitted over and attached to theopen end or mouth of the bottle through which the food is discharged.However, in use it is found that frequently leakage of food from thebottle occurs between the nipple and the portions of the According tothe present invention the possibility of leakage between the bottle andthe nipple is eliminated by the formation of the bottle and the nipplein such a manner that in attached mounted position of the nipple aneffective seal is formed with the bottle. In the illustrated exampleshown particularly by Fig. 3, the bottle 10 is provided at the open ormouth end thereof with an exterior collar 12 welded or otherwisesuitably rigidly fixed thereon and extending therearound to form ineflect an integral part thereof. In the specific example shown thecollar 12 has its outer edge substantially flush with the outer edge ofthe bottle mouth and is formed at its lower end with an integral flange14.- extending outwardly therefrom and provid ing an annular shoulderextending radially from and around the exterior of the bottle 10. Thecollar 10 is exteriorly screwthreaded for a purpose to be explained. Ametal band or ring 15 is formed internally threaded and of a diameter tofit over and be screwed onto the exteriorly threaded collar portion 12of the bottle. This band 15 is formed of a width or depth such that inmounted position over and extending around the bottle 10 and collar 12,with the outer FT or upper edge of the band substantially flush with theouter edge of collar 12, the inner edge thereof is spaced a distanceoutwardly from the flange 14, as will be clear by reference to Fig. 3 ofthe drawings.

A modified form of bottle is disclosed in Fig. 5, of the drawings, inwhich the exterior shoulderforming flange 14 is formed integral with thebottle 10, and the outer end portion 12 of the bottle between flange 14and the outer edge of the bottle is thickened and exteriorly screwthreaded to receive the band or ring 15. However, this feature of theinvention is not limited to thickening. the outer end portion of thebottle wall, as will be apparent, since the required external diameterof the bottle to receive a standardized size of nipple can becompensated for in other Ways, for example, by increasing the externaldiameter of the bottle body, or by increasing the thickness of the bandor ring 15 employed.

The nipple 20 embodying the principles and features of the invention andadapted for mounting on and attachment to the bottle 10 formed andconstructed as described, is formed of rubber in the usual mannerfamiliar to those skilled in this art, and of a natural shape and form.The nipple 20 is provided with a relatively large body portionterminating in a skirt portion 21 adapted to fit over and surround theopen end of the bottle 10. The skirt portion 21 of the nipple 20 isconnected with the body portion of the nipple by an outwardly extendingflange 22 which on the interior of the nipple is extended inwardly adistance to provide a shoulder 23 having a flat face disposedsubstantially transversely to the axis of the nipple. The nipple soformed has the neck band or ring 12 fitted into the skirt portion 21thereof with the skirt tightly embracing the band and the shoulder 23formed by the flange portion 22 hearing against the inner edge of theband. In mounted position of the band 15 in the nipple the skirt 21extends a distance therebeyond for a purpose appearing hereinafter.

With the band 15 secured in the skirt portion 21 of the nipple 20, thenipple is mount:

ed in position on the bottle by fitting the ring over and screwing thesame onto the threaded outer end of the bottle. The ex-, tended portion24 of the skirt is bent in wardly over and across the outer edge of theband 15 (see Figs. 3 and 5) and the band with the nipple is screwed downonto the bottle with the portion 24 of the nipple compressed between theedge of the band and the flange 14 on the bottle. In attached positionof the nipple the interior shoulder 23 thereof bears tightly down ontothe outer edge of the bottle and of the band 15, as clearly shown by theaccompanying draw, m s.

lSy the foregoing construction and arrangment of the bottle 10 and thenipple a very effective seal is formed between the bottle and the nippleand leakage is eliminated. The portion 24 of the nipple forms a gasketor washer between the flange 14 and i the band 21 and collar 12, whilethe. shoulder 23 provides in effect a gasket or washer between thenipple and the outer edges of bottle 10 and collar 12 and band 15. Inthis manner a double seal is formed and not only prevents leakage fromthe outer edge portion of the nipple attaching skirt, but furtherprevents entry of fluid from the bottle between the contacting surfacesof the band 15 and skirt 21 and between the bottle and the band 15.

The invention includes certain features with regard to the constructionand formation of the nipple and the feed or discharge therefrom. Thesefeatures are shown in Figs. 3 and 4 particularly, and embody theprovision of a stem 25 depending inwardly a distance through the reducedouter end or discharge neck 26 of the nipple, and the opposite dischargepassages or channels 27 formed in the stem longitudinally thereoi. andcommunicating with separate spaced bores or discharge apertures 28 inthe end of the neck 26 of the nipple. It will be noted that thedischarge ports or apertures 28 are curved outwardly in oppositedirections and are more widely spaced apart at their outer ends than attheir inner ends which are in communication with the feed passages orchannels 27. The stem 25 is formed of relatively hard rubber to providea substantially stiff structure which will prevent collapse of thenipple in use due to the creation of a partial vacuum there-within, aswill be readilyunderstood. By the provision of multiple passages andseparate discharge apertures therefor, food is more efliciently andnaturally fed therethrough at a rate of flow and in quantitiessufficient to feed an infant with the minimum of effort and thereduction of the exhausting effect on an infant of being forced to exertitself in securing the proper quantity of food. Further the danger ofclogging and cutting discharge off of the flow is reduced materially andthe proper cleaning of the nipple facilitated. The formation andconstruction of the nipple is such that the interior surfaces thereofare all easily accessible so that thorough sterilization and cleaningthereof is very readily accomplished. However, no claim is made hereinto the foregoing nipple construction and formation, which forms thebasis of and is claimed in my divisional application, Serial No. 28,905,filed May 8, 1925.

It will be noted that the nipple carrying and attaching member or band15 is not permanently mounted in and received by the nipple 20, but isreadily removable therefrom to permit of sterilizing the same and ofsterilizing and cleaning the interior of the skirt portion of thenipple. The memher or band 15 forms nished with a bottle for ples on andto the bottle in use.

The bottle of the invention can be formed 0 glass if desired, in whichinstance the flange 14 and threaded portion can be formed integraltherewith, so that it will be clear that all features of the bottle ofthe invention are not limited to the use of metal as the material fromwhich the bottle is formed.

'It will be further evident that various other changes, variations,substitutions and modifications might be resorted to without departingfrom the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish tolimit myself to the exact and specific disclosures hereof.

. Desiring to protect my invention in the broadest manner legallypossible, what I claim is:

l. A nursing bottle formed with an exterior flange therearoundadjacent'the open end thereof, the end portion of said bottle externallyscrew threaded, a nipple carrying member fitting over and threaded ontosaid end portion, the said band constructed and arranged to compress theend portion of a nipple between the said flange and the band to form aseal, and the outer end of said bottle formed to receive and bearagainst the wall of a nipple to provide an inner seal therefor.

2. A- nursing bottle formed with an external projection therearoundadjacent the open discharge end thereof, and a nipple carrying andattaching member fitting over and around the outer end portion of saidbottle and arranged to compress the end portion of a nipple between thebottle projection and the member to form a seal and prevent leakage fromthe bottle with a nipple mounted thereon, the open end of the bottleformed to bear against the inner wall of a Anipple to provide a sealtherewith.

a part of and is fur attachment of nipnursing bottle formed with an exterior projection extending therearound adjacent the open end of thebottle, a nipple carrying and attaching member constructed to form aseal with a nipple and to fit over and around the open end of thebottle, the said member formed to compress the end portion of a nipplebetween the exterior projection of the bottle and the member to form anouter seal preventing leakagefrom the bottle, and the open end wall ofthe bottle formed to bear against the inner wall of a nipple to providea seal therewith, said member adapted to force a nipple against the endwall of the bottle.

- 4. A nursing bottle formed with an exterior flange extendingtherearound adjacent the open end of the bottle, a nipple carrying andattaching band formed to fit over and around the portion of the bottlebetween said flange and the open end, and a nipple formed to receive andfit over said band, the said nipple having an interior shoulder bearingagainst the band and the open end edge of the bottle to form a sealtherewith, the outer end portion of said'nipple extended, across theouter end of said band and compressed between said bottle flange andsaidband to form a second seal with the bottle.

5. In combination with a nursing bottle having an open discharge end, anipple formed with aninternal flange therearound projecting from thebody o-f the nipple and bearing against the open end edge of said bottleto form a seal with the nipple in mounted attached position over theopen end of the bottle, and means for compressing the outer end portionof the nipple around the bottle to form a second seal therewith for thenipple. I

6. A nursing bottle formed with an exterior radial flange extendingtherearound spaced inwardly on the bottle from the open end thereof, anipple carrying and attaching band formed to fit over and around theexterior of the bottle between said flange and the open end, and anipple formed to receive and fit over said band with the outer endportion of said nipple bent inwardly across the adjacent edge of saidband and compressed between said bottle flange and the band edge to forma seal, and the said nipple formed with an internal shoulder bearingagainst and extending across the outer edge of said band and the openend edge of said bottle to form a seal therewith preventing passage fromthe bottle between the said band, nipple and wall of the bottle.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a nursing bottle formed of arelatively light weight non-corrosive metal to provide a light weightnon-breakable bottle, said bottle having substantially the same internaldiameter throughout having one end thereof open, a radial flange formedaround the exterior of the bottle spaced a distance inwardly thereonfrom the open end, the portion of the exterior of the bottle between theopen end and said flange externally screw threaded, and an internallythreaded metal nipple receiving and mounting band fitted over the openend of the bottle and extending around and screwed onto the externallythreaded portion thereof, the inner edge of said band formed to receivea portion of a nipple mounted thereon to compress the same between suchedge and the exterior bottle flange, and the outer edge of said band andof the open end edge of the bottle formed and arranged to bear againstthe inner wall of the nipple to form a seal therewith.

Signed at Parkersburg, Wood County, \Vest Virginia, this 2nd day ofApril 1924.

LACIE A. MoGEAltY.

